BR Volleys Claim Fifth Straight League Cup but CEO Slams Tournament Format

Berlin volleyball club BR Volleys secured their fifth consecutive German League Cup title on Sunday 19 October 2026, defeating Grizzlys Giesen 3-2 in a final held in Hildesheim. Despite the victory, club CEO Kaweh Niroomand was openly critical of the tournament's format and organisation. All matches were scheduled at a single venue on the same day, causing a cascade of delays; the final began nearly two hours behind schedule with minimal advance notice to fans. Niroomand stated: 'That format needs to change and improve. No other sport would do it this way,' adding that the situation was 'not good external representation for volleyball.' Head coach Andrea Anastasi also found three matches in three days excessive. Niroomand went further, criticising the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) for an overcrowded calendar that leaves clubs without home matches for four months. The CEO stressed that ticket revenue is now critical to the club's finances, and frequent weekday fixtures reduce spectator numbers and income. The report was published in the Tagesspiegel on 20 October 2026.